Picking a Phlebotomist School near Lebanon Oregon

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Lebanon OR is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Lebanon OR phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Lebanon OR hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Lebanon OR, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Lebanon OR healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Oregon school is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Lebanon OR programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Oregon? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Oregon or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Lebanon OR. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Lebanon OR area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Oregon school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, check with the Oregon regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Lebanon OR phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Oregon colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lebanon OR healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Lebanon OR health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Lebanon OR, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Lebanon OR

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lebanon OR.

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